Zap ’em, Danno! More Americans dig into freezer for lunch options
With busy schedules and limited resources, more consumers than ever are looking for meal solutions in the freezer section of their grocery store rather than in a fast-food chain or restaurant. Even celebrities!
“Going out for that midday meal every day can cost you serious cash and calories! So, what's a busy girl to do? Well, it's time to go frozen,” says TV host and blogger Giuliana Rancic. “No, I'm not talking a blended marg (we'll leave that for happy hour), but I am suggesting that you hit up the frozen food aisle in your grocery store. Old-school TV dinners have come a long way from their high calorie, low flavor, unenticing meatloaf and mashed potatoes beginnings. These days, there is a slew of super-healthy but still tasty options — many of which are organic, vegetarian and even vegan!”
One of Rancic’s favorite frozen lunches to keep on hand for busy days is Cedarlane Garden Vegetable Enchiladas, because she enjoys the spicy appeal of tasty enchiladas filled with cheese, beans and vegetables.
Tom Vierhile, Innovation Insights Director for Datamonitor, has more than 20 years of experience analyzing consumer packaged goods trends and says the brown-bagging trend due to the economy has more Americans reaching into the freezer for an affordable, yet appetizing lunch. According to the Food Marketing Institute’s “U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2011” report, the number of Americans brining lunch to work has steadily grown over the last four years, he says.
Other emerging meal trends that Vierhile says make refrigerated meals appealing these days include:
- One-quarter (23%) of grocery shoppers are poor planners who don’t know what they’re eating for dinner two hours before the meal
- Poor meal planning leads to impulse choices, particularly at breakfast, which has resulted in more frozen food options for the first meal
- More consumers are looking for meat-optional meals, even though they don’t consider themselves vegan or vegetarian
- Vegetarian and vegan options are being offered in the freezer aisle.
The good news is that Cedarlane and CedarLEAN are there for you morning, noon and night, providing a variety of great-tasting and good-for-you meals throughout the day.
Breakfast:
CedarLEAN Frittatas & Cedarlane Omelettes: Get EGGstatic about breakfast again with hot, healthy meals from Cedarlane Natural Foods. Wake up to delicious, gluten-free egg white omelettes or new, low-calorie frittatas.
Lunch:
CedarLEAN Soups & Wraps: You don’t have to bust your belt or your budget to enjoy a satisfying lunch for under 230 calories. Liven up your midday meal with new CedarLEAN Soup & Wrap combos.
Dinner:
Cedarlane Classic Entrees: Healthy, home-style dinners in less than half the time, made with natural and organic ingredients and international flavors. What more could a great meal ask for?
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